Smith & Wesson Revolvers

In 1852, Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson formed a partnership to market a lever action repeating pistol. Smith had honed his skills in the firearms trade while working at the National Armory, Wesson was a former apprentice to his brother, Edwin Wesson, the leading maker of target pistols and rifles in the 1840s. Together, they became Smith & Wesson. The legendary arms maker dominated the handgun business in the consumer, law enforcement, and military markets for almost a century.

Smith & Wesson began making single-action revolvers before the Civil War and went on to arm sheriffs and cavalrymen with their revolvers throughout the Old West. Although Smith & Wesson began producing double-action revolvers three years after Colt, it was Smith & Wesson that quickly dominated the market. Its first models were top breaks offered in various frame sizes and calibers from short .32-caliber models to large-frame .44 calibers.

Smith & Wesson's .44 Magnum revolver was proudly carried by Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" Hollywood character. And the S&W six-shot .38-caliber revolver, the Model 10, was one of the most relied upon handguns of the 20th century. With a legacy of quality American-made handguns dating back to the pre-Civil War era, Smith & Wesson revolvers remain some of the world's most coveted weapons.

Quick Facts

• In 2015, a rare Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum DA Revolver that belonged to firearms enthusiast Elmer Keith sold at a James D Julia auction for $28,750, well above its $7,000 high estimate
• In 2015 at Rock Island Auction, a Nimschke New York Engraved Smith & Wesson Model 3 Revolver sold for $48,875
• A Gustave Young 1893 Chicago World’s Fair engraved Smith & Wesson Frontier revolver sold at a James D. Julia auction in September 2013 for $155,250